Reusable pump cartridge

ABSTRACT

A pump cartridge for use in a high pressure fluid jet system is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the pump cartridge can be adapted to couple to a drive mechanism for driving fluid from a fluid source, through the pump cartridge, to a fluid jet delivery device, and the pump cartridge can be reusable to allow the pump cartridge to be sterilized between uses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to high pressure fluid jet tools, and inparticular to a reusable pump cartridge for use with a high pressurefluid jet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High pressure fluid jets for cutting tissue can offer several advantagesover traditional cutting tools. In particular, high pressure fluid jetstend to emulsify soft tissue, thus avoiding thermal damage and necrosiswhich can arise from using laser cutters and electrosurgical cutters.The emulsified tissue can also be easily transported by aspiration awayfrom the surgical site. Indeed, the fact that many fluid jet cuttingdevices include aspiration and evacuation as an integral portion of thedevice can be an added benefit for many surgical procedures.

One drawback with current high pressure fluid jets used in surgicalprocedures is that they require a sterile fluid flow pathway from anexternal pump mechanism to a nozzle that forms the fluid jet. Mostcurrent high pressure fluid jets use a disposable fluid pathway that issterilized during manufacturing, and that is discarded after use. Thematerials and the configuration of the fluid pathway often prevent thedevice from being sterilized after use.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved high pressure fluidjet, and in particular for a reusable pump cartridge for a high pressurefluid jet system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary embodiment, a reusable pump cartridge is provided foruse in a high pressure fluid jet system. The pump cartridge can beadapted to couple to a drive mechanism for driving fluid through thepump cartridge. Between uses, the pump cartridge can be disengaged fromthe drive mechanism, sterilized, and reused.

While the pump cartridge can have a variety of configurations, in oneexemplary embodiment the pump cartridge can include a housing having achamber adapted for fluid flow therethrough, and a drive assemblydisposed therein and adapted to drive fluid through the chamber when thehousing is coupled to a drive mechanism. The chamber can be adapted tohave a sealed configuration when the housing is coupled to the drivemechanism, and the chamber can be adapted to have an open configurationwhen the housing is disengaged from a drive mechanism to allow the pumpcartridge to be sterilized. In one exemplary embodiment, the chamber caninclude a one-way inlet valve that is adapted to allow fluid to flowinto the chamber, and a one-way outlet valve that is adapted to allowfluid to flow out of the chamber. By way of non-limiting example, theinlet and outlet valves can be ball-in-aperture valves.

The drive assembly can have a variety of configurations, but in oneexemplary embodiment the drive assembly can include a piston that ismovably disposed through a seal that separates the chamber from thedrive assembly. The piston can be adapted to receive a force from a pushrod on a drive mechanism for moving the piston relative to the seal todrive fluid through the chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, the pistoncan float within the housing such that it is movable about alongitudinal axis thereof. The drive assembly can also include a biasingelement that is coupled to the piston and that is effective to bias thepiston to a first position in which the piston is fully removed from thechamber and the seal is open.

In another aspect of the present invention, a reusable pump cartridge isprovided and it can include a housing that is removably matable to adrive mechanism and that includes a fluid flow chamber, a couplingchamber, and a seal separating the fluid flow chamber and the couplingchamber. The reusable pump cartridge can also include a piston that ismovably disposed through the seal and that includes a receiving portiondisposed within the coupling chamber and that is adapted to receive apush rod on a drive mechanism for moving the piston relative to the sealto drive fluid through the fluid flow chamber. The pump cartridge canalso include a biasing element coupled to the piston and effective tobias the piston to a first position in which the piston is fullydisposed within the pump chamber and the seal is open. The biasingelement can also have a variety of configurations, but in one embodimentthe biasing element can be a coil spring that is disposed around atleast a portion of the piston to apply a biasing force to the second endof the head of the piston.

The piston can have a variety of configurations, and in one exemplaryembodiment the piston can be, for example, an elongate shaft having anenlarged head formed thereon. The head can include a substantiallyplanar surface for receiving a push rod, or in another embodiment it caninclude a recess formed therein and defining the receiving portion. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the piston can be formed from anautoclavable material, such as sapphire. The seal in the housing canalso be formed from an autoclavable material, such as, for example, animpregnated fluoropolymer, such as a polymer-filled TEFLON®.

Exemplary methods for using a pump cartridge are also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a high pressure fluid jet system having apump console with a pump cartridge connected thereto and incommunication with a fluid jet delivery device in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pump cartridge of the high pressurefluid jet system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the pump cartridge shown in FIG. 2

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a portion of the pump cartridge shownin FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of apump cartridge for use with a high pressure fluid jet system;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pump cartridgeshown in FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of a valvemechanism for use with a pump cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pump cartridge for use in a highpressure fluid jet system. The pump cartridge can be adapted to coupleto a drive mechanism for driving fluid from a fluid source, through thepump cartridge, to a fluid jet delivery device. In an exemplaryembodiment, the pump cartridge can be reusable to allow the pumpcartridge to be sterilized between uses. A person skilled in the artwill appreciate that the pump cartridge can be used with a variety ofhigh pressure fluid jet systems for use in a variety of applications.

FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a high pressure fluid jetsystem 10. As shown, the system 10 can include a drive mechanism 12 anda reusable pump cartridge 50 that can be releasably attached to thedrive mechanism 12. The system 10 can also include a fluid source 16,such as a saline bag, for delivering fluid to the reusable pumpcartridge 50. The fluid source 16 can be coupled to the pump cartridge50 using a variety of techniques, but in one exemplary embodiment thefluid source 16 includes a tube 16 a that extends between the fluidsource 16 and the pump cartridge 50. The system 10 can also include afluid jet delivery device, which in the illustrated embodiment includesa fluid delivery tube 18 and fluid jet device 20, for receiving fluidfrom the pump cartridge 50 and forming a high pressure fluid jet. Whilethe high pressure fluid jet can operate at various pressures dependingon the intended use, in one exemplary embodiment the high pressure fluidjet system 10 is adapted to operate at a pressure in the range of about1,000 to 20,000 psi, and more preferably in the range of about 5,000 to15,000 psi. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the highpressure fluid jet system can include a variety of other components, andthat each component can have a variety of configurations. Moreover, thecomponents can be integrally formed with one another or they can beremovably attached to one another. A person skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that the exemplary pump cartridges disclosed herein can beused with a variety of other fluid jet systems, and that the exemplaryfluid jet system disclosed herein is merely disclosed for referencepurposes.

While virtually any drive mechanism known in the art can be used, in oneexemplary embodiment the drive mechanism can be part of a pump console12 for pumping fluid through the pump cartridge 50 at a controlled rate.The exemplary pump console 12 can include a push rod 22 (shown in FIG.4) that is driven by a motor disposed within the pump console 12, andcontrols for allowing a user to input the desired pump parameters. Thepush rod 22 can have a variety of shapes and sizes, but in one exemplaryembodiment the push rod 22 has a shape and size that enables it toextend from the pump console 12 and into the pump cartridge 50 to applya force to a piston disposed within the pump cartridge 50, as will bediscussed in more detail below. In use, the motor (not shown) iseffective to reciprocate the push rod 22 along its axis, therebyreciprocating the piston disposed within the pump cartridge 50 to pumpfluid through the cartridge 50, as will also be discussed in more detailbelow.

The fluid delivery tube 18 can also have a variety of configurations. Inone exemplary embodiment, the fluid delivery tube 18 can be formed froma material which has sufficient burst strength to safely deliver fluidat a high pressure to the fluid jet device 20, and which has goodmaneuverability for the surgeon. As shown in FIG. 1A, the fluid deliverytube 18 can be coiled to provide good maneuverability. The fluiddelivery tube 18 can also include connectors, which in an exemplaryembodiment can be hand tightened, to connect the ends of the fluiddelivery tube 18 to the pump cartridge 50 and the fluid jet device 20,where detachable components are desired. As previously indicated, thefluid delivery tube 18 can be integrally formed with or fixedly mated tothe pump cartridge 50 and/or the fluid jet device 20.

The fluid jet device 20 can also have a variety of configurations, andvirtually any device for forming a high pressure fluid jet can be usedwith the various embodiments disclosed herein. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment, the fluid jet device 20 is in the form of ahand-held wand that includes a lumen in communication with the deliverytube 18 and a nozzle for forming a high pressure fluid jet. The fluidjet device 20 can also include an evacuation lumen for collecting thefluid jet, as well as a variety of other features for facilitating useof the device. By way of non-limiting example, one exemplary embodimentof a fluid jet device is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/904,456 filed on Nov. 11, 2004 and entitled“Methods and Devices for Selective Bulk Removal and Precision Sculptingof Tissue” by McRury et al.

As previously indicated, the high pressure fluid jet system 10 caninclude a pump cartridge 50 that is adapted to couple to the pumpconsole 12, and that is disposed between and effective to transfer fluidfrom the fluid source 16 to the fluid jet delivery device 18, 20. Thepump cartridge 50 can have a variety of configurations, but in oneexemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pump cartridge 50can be in the form of a housing having a first or fluid flow chamber 56that is adapted to deliver fluid from the fluid source 16 to the fluiddelivery tube 18 and pressure jet device 20, and a second or couplingchamber 58 having a drive assembly 60 disposed therein and adapted todrive fluid through the fluid flow chamber 56 when the cartridge 50 iscoupled to the console 12. The exemplary pump cartridge 50 can also beadapted to be sterilized, thus allowing the pump cartridge to be reused.This can be achieved by configuring the pump cartridge 50 such that theinternal chambers, e.g., the fluid flow chamber 56 and the couplingchamber 58, of the cartridge 50 are in an open configuration when thepump cartridge 50 is disengaged from the console 12.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the pump cartridge isdescribed as having a second or coupling “chamber” for referencepurposes only, and that the components disposed within the secondchamber of the pump cartridge does not necessarily need to be disposedwithin a “chamber” or a defined space.

The fluid flow chamber 56 can have a variety of configurations, but inan exemplary embodiment, as shown, it includes an inlet port 56 a thatis adapted to mate to the fluid source 16, and an outlet port 56 b thatis adapted to mate to the fluid delivery tube 18. The inlet and outletports 56 a, 56 b can each include a valve mechanism disposed therein forcontrolling fluid flow therethrough. While a variety of valve mechanismscan be used, in one exemplary embodiment the inlet and outlet ports 56a, 56 b each include a one-way ball-in-aperture valve 100 having a ball102 that is sits within an aperture 104, as shown in more detail in FIG.5. The valve 100 can also include a ball-retaining member 106, such as arod extending across the inlet and/or outlet ports 56 a, 56 b, that isadapted to retain the ball 102 within the valve housing 100. In use,when the pump cartridge 50 is attached to the console 1 2, the ball 1 02can prevent fluid from flowing out the inlet 56 a and in the outlet 56 bin the fluid flow chamber 56. When the pump cartridge 50 is disengagedfrom the console 12, the cartridge 50 can be laid on its side such thatthe ball 102 moves away from the aperture 104, thereby allowing the pumpcartridge 50 to be sterilized as the fluid flow chamber 56 is in an openconfiguration, as will be discussed in more detail below.

As is further shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the exemplary fluid flow chamber56 can be in communication with the coupling chamber 58 to allow thedrive assembly 60 within the coupling chamber 58 to drive fluid throughthe fluid flow chamber 56. While various techniques can be used tocouple the two chambers 56, 58, in the illustrated exemplary embodimenta seal 62 can be disposed between the two chambers 56, 58. The seal 62can have a variety of shapes and sizes, but in one exemplary embodimentthe seal 62 separates the fluid flow chamber 56 and the coupling chamber58. The seal 62 can, however, include an opening 62 a formed therein forslidably receiving a piston 64 that is part of the drive assembly 60disposed within the coupling chamber 58. As will be discussed in moredetail below, the piston 64 can be adapted to extend through the opening62 a in the seal 62 when the pump cartridge 50 is attached to theconsole 12, and it can retract into the coupling chamber 58 when thepump cartridge 50 is disengaged from the pump console 12 such that thefluid flow chamber 56 and the coupling chamber 58 are in communicationwith one another, thereby allowing the pump cartridge 50 to have an openconfiguration for sterilization. Thus, while the opening 62 a in theseal 62 can have virtually any shape and size, in an exemplaryembodiment the opening 62 a has a shape and size that complements ashape and size of the piston. For example, the opening can be circularto match a cylindrical-shaped piston. A person skilled in the art willappreciate that the seal 62 can be formed from a variety of materials.Exemplary materials include, by way of non-limiting example, animpregnated fluoropolymer, such as a polymer-filled TEFLON®.

The coupling chamber 58 of the pump cartridge 50 can also have a varietyof configurations, but as indicated above an exemplary coupling chamber58 includes a drive assembly 60 disposed therein that is adapted toreceive a force from the push rod 22 on the console 12, and that isadapted to drive fluid through the fluid flow chamber 56. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, an exemplary drive assembly 60 can include a piston 64having a first portion or a head 64 a that is adapted to receive a forceapplied by the push rod 22 on the console 12, and a second portion 64 bthat extends through the seal 62 and into the fluid flow chamber 56 fordriving fluid therethrough. The first and second portions 64 a, 64 b canhave virtually any shape and size, but in one exemplary embodiment thesecond portion 64 b of the piston 64 can have a generally elongatecylindrical shape with an extent, e.g., a diameter D_(p) thatsubstantially corresponds to an extent, e.g., a diameter D_(o), of theopening 62 a in the seal 62, and the first portion or head 64 a of thepiston 64 can have a substantially planar configuration to allow thepush rod 22 to abut there against. The head 64 a can be enlarged suchthat it has an extent, e.g., a diameter D_(h), that is greater than thediameter D_(p) of the second portion 64 b, and that is greater than anextent, e.g., a diameter D_(c), of the push rod 22 (shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B). Such a configuration allows the push rod 22 to contact anyportion of the piston 64, i.e., it allows a central axis of the push rod22 to be aligned or misaligned with a central axis of the piston 64.Thus, a mechanical interlocking fixation between the push rod 22 and thepiston 64 is not necessary as the components do not need to be axiallyaligned. Accordingly, the piston 64 can float within the pump cartridge50 and relative to the push rod 22. As a result, the push rod 22 willnot cause the piston 64 to be misaligned with the seal 62, therebyreducing or avoiding potential wear on the seal 62. While not shown, thehead 64 a of the piston 64 can include one or more openings or otherfeatures formed therein to facilitate sterilization of the pumpcartridge 50, and in particular to prevent the piston 64 from sealingthe second chamber 58 when the pump cartridge is disengaged from thedrive mechanism 12.

In another exemplary embodiment, the piston 64 can include a recessformed in a proximal end thereof for receiving the push rod 22. FIGS. 4Aand 4B illustrate another embodiment of a pump cartridge 50′ that issimilar to pump cartridge 50 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, but that includesa recess 64 c′ formed in the piston 64′ for receiving the push rod 22.In particular, the piston 64′ can have an enlarged head 64 a′ formedthereon with a recess 64 c′ formed within the head 64′. The recess 64 c′can have virtually any shape and size, but in an exemplary embodiment ithas an extent, e.g., a diameter D_(R), that is substantially larger thanan extent, e.g., the diameter D_(C), of the push rod 22, as shown inFIG. 4B. Again, such a configuration allows the push rod 22 to bereceived within any portion of the recess 64 c′, and does not require amechanical connection to axially align the piston 64 with the push rod22. Accordingly, the piston 64′ can float within the pump cartridge 50and relative to the push rod 22. As a result, the push rod 22 will notcause the piston 64′ to be misalignment with the seal 62, therebyreducing or avoiding potential wear on the seal 62′.

The piston 64, 64′ can also be formed from a variety of materials, butin one exemplary embodiment the piston 64, 64′ is formed from a materialthat is impervious to sterilization. One suitable exemplary material issapphire. Sapphire is also particularly advantageous in that the use ofa sapphire piston can be highly polished and is extremely hard such thatit will remain stable in high temperature and high pressureenvironments.

Referring back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, while the piston 64 can float withinthe coupling chamber 58 and it does not need to be axially aligned withor mated to the push rod 22 on the console 12, the pump cartridge 50 caninclude features to facilitate axial alignment of the piston 64 with theopening 62 a in the seal 62. Various techniques can be used to achievethis, but in one exemplary embodiment the pump cartridge 50 can includean alignment mechanism, such as a ring member 70 shown in FIGS. 3A and3B, that is adapted to facilitate alignment of the second elongateportion 64 b of the piston 64 with the seal 62. The exemplary ringmember 70 can have a substantially cylindrical shape with an opening 72formed therein for slidably receiving the elongate portion 64 b of thepiston 64. It can also include one or more projections 74 for guidingthe piston 64 into the opening 72 during initial engagement, and/or forfacilitating sterilization of the device as the projections will allowsteam communication between the chambers. For example, as shown in FIG.3B, the ring member 70 is castellated. FIG. 3A illustrates the ringmember 70 disposed within the pump cartridge 50, and as shown the ringmember 70 can be fixedly attached to the housing within the couplingchamber 58 such that the opening 72 is aligned with the opening 62 a ofthe seal 62. As a result, when the piston 64 moves toward the seal 62,the projections 74 guide the piston 64 toward the opening 72, therebysubstantially aligning the piston 64 with the opening 62 a in the seal62. The ring member 70 can also be effective to maintain the seal 62 ina substantially fixed position within the pump cartridge 50.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the piston 64′ can beself-aligning. In particular, a biasing element 68′, which will bediscussed in more detail below, can be disposed around the piston 64 andused to maintain and substantially align the piston 64 with the openingin the seal 62 a. The piston 64, however, can move laterally about itsaxis such that the piston 64 can self-align with the seal opening 62 a.A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of othertechniques can be used to axially align the piston 64 with the seal 62.

As indicated above, the drive assembly 60, 60′ in the pump cartridge 50,50′ can also include a biasing element 68 that is adapted to bias thepiston 64, 64′ into the coupling chamber 58, 58′. While virtually anybiasing element 68 can be used, in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3A the biasing element 68 can be in the form of a coil spring thatis disposed around the elongate portion 64 b, 64 b′ of the piston 64,64′ and that is positioned between the head 64 a of the piston 64 andthe ring member 70. FIGS. 4A and 4B also illustrate a coil spring 68′.As noted above, the spring 68′ can maintain and substantially align thepiston 64′ with the seal 62 while allowing some lateral movement of thepiston 64′ such that the piston 64′ is self-aligning with the seal 62.

In use, when the pump cartridge 50 is attached to the console 12, thebiasing element 68 will apply a force in the direction of the console12, thereby forcing the piston 64 into contact with the push rod 22. Asa result, when the motor is actuated and the push rod 22 is reciprocatedalong its axis, it will apply a counter-force to the biasing element 68,thereby reciprocating the piston 64 through the seal 62 and into thefluid flow chamber 56 to pump fluid therethrough. When the pumpcartridge 50 is removed or disengaged from the console 12, the biasingelement 68 can force the piston 64 out of the opening 62 a in the seal62 and completely into the second chamber 58 such that the fluid flowchamber 56 and the coupling chamber 58 are open or in communication withone another. The pump cartridge 50 can also be turned on its side tocause the valves 100 to open, such that the entire pump cartridge 50 isopen. As a result, the pump cartridge 50 can be sterilized, e.g., usingan autoclave, cleaning agents, steam, gas, etc., for reuse.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the cartridge 50 can becoupled to the console 12 using a variety of engagement techniques. Byway of non-limiting example, suitable engagement mechanisms include atwist-lock mechanism, a threaded mechanism, or any other technique knownin the art. The pump cartridge 50 can also include a lever 54, shown inFIG. 2, for facilitating attachment to and removal from the pump console12. For example, the lever 54 can be used to rotate the pump cartridge50 relative to the console 12, thereby causing flanges, threads, or someother engagement mechanism on the cartridge 50 to engage the console 12.In certain exemplary embodiments, the pump cartridge 50 can releasablyengage the console 12.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly,the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shownand described, except as indicated by the appended claims. Allpublications and references cited herein are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

1. A reusable pump cartridge, comprising: a housing having a chamber adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough, and a drive assembly adapted to drive fluid through the chamber when the housing is coupled to a drive mechanism, the chamber being adapted to have a sealed configuration when the housing is coupled to the drive mechanism, and the chamber being adapted to be in an open configuration when the housing is disengaged from a drive mechanism such that the housing, the chamber, and the drive assembly can be steam sterilized between uses.
 2. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes an inlet, and outlet, and an opening formed between the chamber and the drive assembly.
 3. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 2, further comprising a seal disposed within the opening and adapted to have an open configuration when the housing is disengaged from a drive mechanism, and adapted to receive a portion of the drive assembly when the housing is coupled to the drive mechanism such that the chamber is sealed.
 4. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 3, wherein the drive assembly includes a piston movably disposed through the seal, the piston being adapted to receive a push rod on a drive mechanism for moving the piston relative to the seal to drive fluid through the chamber.
 5. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 4, wherein the piston floats within the housing such that it is movable about a longitudinal axis thereof.
 6. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 4, further comprising a biasing element coupled to the piston and effective to bias the piston to a first position in which the piston is fully removed from the chamber and the seal is open.
 7. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 2, wherein the inlet in the chamber includes a one-way inlet valve adapted to allow fluid to flow into the chamber, and the outlet in the chamber includes a one-way outlet valve adapted to allow fluid to flow out of the chamber.
 8. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 7, wherein the inlet and outlet valves comprise ball-in-aperture valves.
 9. A reusable pump cartridge, comprising: a housing removably matable to a drive mechanism, the housing including a fluid flow chamber, a coupling chamber, and a seal separating the fluid flow chamber and the coupling chamber; a piston movably disposed through the seal and including a receiving portion disposed within the coupling chamber and adapted to receive a push rod on a drive mechanism for moving the piston relative to the seal to drive fluid through the fluid flow chamber; and a biasing element coupled to the piston and effective to bias the piston to a first position in which the piston is fully disposed within the pump chamber and the seal is open.
 10. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the piston floats within the housing such that it is movable about a longitudinal axis thereof.
 11. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the receiving portion comprises a substantially planar surface.
 12. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the piston comprises an elongate shaft and the receiving portion comprises an enlarged head formed on an end of the elongate shaft, and wherein the enlarged head includes a substantially planar surface for receiving a push rod on a drive mechanism.
 13. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the piston is formed from an autoclavable material.
 14. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the piston is formed from sapphire.
 15. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the seal is formed from an autoclavable material.
 16. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the seal is formed from an impregnated fluoropolymer.
 17. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the biasing element comprises a coil spring disposed around at least a portion of the piston.
 18. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the piston comprises a head having a first end defining the receiving portion, and a second end having an elongate shaft extending therefrom and movably disposed through the seal.
 19. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 18, wherein the biasing element extends around a portion of the elongate shaft and applies a biasing force to the second end of the head.
 20. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 9, wherein the fluid flow chamber includes a one-way inlet valve adapted to allow fluid to flow into the fluid flow chamber, and a one-way outlet valve adapted to allow fluid to flow out of the fluid flow chamber.
 21. The reusable pump cartridge of claim 20, wherein the inlet and outlet valves comprise ball-in-aperture valves.
 22. A reusable pump cartridge, comprising: a housing adapted to couple to a fluid source, a fluid delivery tool, and a drive mechanism for driving fluid from the fluid source, through the housing, to the fluid delivery tool; wherein the housing is adapted to have a first, sealed configuration when the housing is coupled to a fluid source, a fluid delivery tool, and a drive mechanism, and a second, open configuration when the housing is disengaged from the fluid source, the fluid delivery device, and the drive mechanism; and wherein the housing is adapted to be steam sterilized in the second, open configuration.
 23. A method for using a pump cartridge, comprising: coupling a drive assembly in a pump cartridge to a drive mechanism, and coupling a fluid flow chamber in the pump cartridge to a fluid source and a fluid delivery tool; activating the drive mechanism to drive fluid from the fluid source, through the fluid flow chamber, to the fluid delivery tool; disengaging the pump cartridge from the drive mechanism, the fluid source, and the fluid delivery tool; sterilizing the pump cartridge; and repeating the steps of coupling and activating.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein sterilizing the pump cartridge comprises autoclaving the pump cartridge.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the fluid delivery tool comprises a high pressure fluid jet. 